Dear Parents/Carers,

WELCOME BACK

It has been wonderful to see the students return to school this week in such fine weather. The students enjoy catching up with their friends and teachers.

Our Term 4 program is once again very busy and when you consider our upcoming events you wonder how we can fit everything in. We are able to do so through the hard work and dedication of staff and parent volunteers. These events would not proceed without the support of parents and the students. Once again, I thank you for following up consent, payment and medical forms which is time consuming but are necessary.

HATS, SUNSCREEN & WATER BOTTLES

Despite the cool change over the past couple of days it appears that we may be in for a long warm summer. This enhances the need for hats to be worn outdoors this term. The Department of Education mandates that hats be worn in Term 1 and 4 in Victorian schools. Please ensure your child has an appropriate hat for school, if you require a new one these can be purchased from the school office.

It is also a good idea to supply sunscreen for your child. We have some at school, where needed, but in the case where skin sensitivity is an issue it is advised that students apply their own which is supplied from home.

Lastly, a labelled drink bottle is vital for all children as they need a steady supply of water daily.

VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who assist us with all of our school programs and events. We are having a Morning Tea, on Monday 30th October 2023 at 11am in the B.E.R building, in appreciation of the work that our parent and grandparent volunteers have done this year. Invitations will be sent this week and upon receipt of your invitation, we ask that you let the office know if you are attending as soon as possible. We have had great support in classrooms, on excursions, camps, at sporting days, School Council, Parents Association, working bees, fundraising events and many more.

REFERENDUM - SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2023

Our school is a polling station for the upcoming referendum vote to be held on Saturday 14th October 2023. We will be holding a sausage sizzle from 10am-pm. If you are able to assist even for a short while or you are looking for an easy lunch please drop by.

SWIMMING

Thank you to Cherine Owen, staff, students and parent helpers for the tremendous start to the Warrnambool Primary School swimming program. One of the best gifts that we can give our children is the ability to swim and to be safe in and around water. The first four weeks of this term is set aside for our swimming program at Aquazone.

MURAL - ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROJECT

The school successfully received a grant form a Department of Education Koorie fund. Part of the grant was used to install a mural by local artist, Sherry Johnstone. This is a large piece, consisting of several symbols iconic to our region. Sherry will also be conducting one-hour sessions with each class, with each student producing a piece of artwork. This is a fantastic art piece and I would like to congratulate Gina Mills on her dedication to our Koorie students and community.

We would also like to acknowledge the great work by Stuart Dawe from Fusion sign and image for the printing and instalment of the mural. It's located on the back of the Art building facing the oval, which many of you may have seen when travelling down Raglan Parade. I’m sure that you would all agree that it looks fantastic.

GOVEMBER

November is fast approaching and we at Warrnambool Primary School are setting ourselves up for the inaugural Govember fitness challenge. There will be more information shortly but the main aim is to get everyone running/walking/moving and to record their efforts for the month of November.

Students and staff will be involved and we encourage parents to do likewise. The WPPA are organising a super Monster raffle which will be drawn at the Christmas Extravaganza on Thursday 7th December 2023. So please stay tuned for more information about the exciting month ahead.

We're still looking for donations for the Monster Raffle so if you're able to assist please contact Skye in the office on 5561 5955.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS 4, 5 & 6

This week we reference Child Safe Standards 4, 5 and 6. There are 11 in total.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 4 at Warrnambool Primary School we ensure:

4.1 Families participate in decisions affecting their child.

4.2 The organisation engages and openly communicates with families and the community about its child safe approach and relevant information is accessible.

4.3 Families and communities have a say in the development and review of the organisation’s policies and practices.

4.4 Families, carers and the community are informed about the organisation’s operations and governance.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 5 at Warrnambool Primary School we ensure:

5.1 The organisation, including staff and volunteers, understands children and young people’s diverse circumstances, and provides support and responds to those who are vulnerable.

5.2 Children and young people have access to information, support and complaints processes in ways that are culturally safe, accessible and easy to understand.

5.3 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of children and young people with disability, children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who are unable to live at home, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and young people.

5.4 The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of Aboriginal children and young people and provides/promotes a culturally safe environment for them.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 6 at Warrnambool Primary School we ensure:

6.1 Recruitment, including advertising, referee checks and staff and volunteer pre-employment screening, emphasise child safety and wellbeing.

6.2 Relevant staff and volunteers have current working with children checks or equivalent background checks.

6.3 All staff and volunteers receive an appropriate induction and are aware of their responsibilities to children and young people, including record keeping, information sharing and reporting obligations.

6.4 Ongoing supervision and people management is focused on child safety and wellbeing.

Reference: https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards

CONGRATULATIONS

We had a very exciting school holidays with 3 babies born.

On behalf of the Warrnambool Primary School community we congratulate April Sandri and Luke on the arrival of a girl Pippa, Kellie McConnell and Liam on the arrival of a girl Charlotte and Kuj Williams and Georgia on the arrival of a girl Gaia.

We wish them all well during this exciting time.

Have a great weekend!

Peter Lee

Principal

Student Birthdays